Improvement in braiding-machine



" lr grinned @anni @tibia Miasra/ Leners Patent Naseem, dated Fama/ry 9,1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN' IBRAIDING--MACHINIE-l.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making of the sama.

To all whom may concern.- Be itv known that I, J AMES D. BUTLER, of Lancaster,

in the county of Worcester, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and improved Braiding-Machine;

and I do hereby decla-re that thefollowing is a full, clear,

ancla exact description of the construction and operation of same, reference being had to' the annexed drawingsn making a part of this specification, in which Figure l is a front view of thernachine, as laid upon its side;

Figure 2, a top view;

Figure 3,' a side view ofthe driving-coupling arrangement;

Figure 4, a side View ofthe take-up and hinder-rolls Figure 5, a detailed plan of the plates, travellers, and gears;

Figure `6, a vertical section through A B of lig. 5.

Figure 7 ,a vertical section, corresponding to fig. 6, of a modified form of the arrangement;

Figure 8, a partial vertical projection of one of the' travellers.; and

Figures 9, 10, and ll, partial vertical projections of the traveller, showing different forms of the tensionweights, spool-catches, 8th.

Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4, are drawn ou a scale one-half that* of iigs.l 5, 6, 7, S, 9, 10, and 11.

This ina-chine is ofthe class in which threads running from different spools are braided together by the proper motion being given to these spools, either as a covering to one or more cords,- or simply upon each other. To

4secure the means of accomplishing this Work in a more eenvenient and satisfactory manner than it has heretofore been done, is the object of my invention.

Although the particular ymachine represented is adapted to twelve travellers, or spool-carriers, but two of these are given, there being no novelty intheir relative movements, and a representation of more tending only to confuse.

The grooved pulley O, igsfl and 3, turns loosely upon the shaft l), in the direction indicated by the arrows.

This shaft runs in bearings D D", and through it the machine is set in motion. Y

All that is necessary, therefore, to start the machine,I

is to engage the shaft with the pulley, which is supposed to be always in motion.

This en gagement is accomplished through the collar E and clutch F.

The collar E is fast upon the shaft,'while F is loose,

having a sliding as well as rotating movement upon it.

'contact with the wings of the pulley, the engagement of the pulley with the shaft is brokemand the machine stops. The bringing up again of the clutch starts the machine.

This style of coupling is not new, and almost any other form can be used in place of it, including frictioncouplings. The arrangement and construction of the parts for working the coupling, however, are new. Heretofore it has been customary to Work the coupling by a lever, upon which-the sliding hub of the coupling rests. In this case, this hub is supported upon the starting-handle G, which is represented as sliding upon the shaft D at G and G, the groove I, in which it also runs, serving to keep it from turning. aboutv the shaft.

The advantages in the use of a sliding starting-ham. dle instead of a lever, consist.in its compactness and simplicity. It would answer to have the handle guided inany other Way than upon the shaft D.

When the handle is raised, in starting the machine,

a bar, H, slides, so as to bringthe projection'H on it under the spur G" on the handle. Y

To allow the starting-handle to fall, and the machine to stop, it is only necessary to push the bar H to the right, by the handle H, a suicient distance to move H out from under G'.

The handle is' ke'pt from falling too far by the main part of H, upon which G strikes, when it falls from H.

lThe bar H is supported in the posts I and I, and the bracket J of the standard J, as shown in the drawing.

The shoulders on the bar, striking against the posts I and I, limit the motion of the bar in the one direction, and H striking against J in the other.

Thespring J tends to move H under G, and tol keep the bar against theposts.

The gear K is fast upon the shaft D,.and, of course, turns with it.

It is connected with the gearing KiK K' K* K5 K5, and gives motion to -these wheels, which turn loosely upon the 'studs K1, K2, K3, 83o. y

In the gears are the slots L L, Sac., which serve to drive the travellers around in their tracks N, N, 86e.,

N ,.N 86o., the stems of the travellers being caught by.

and carried in these slots as the gears'turn.

It is not necessary to point out the order in which the travellers follo-w each other, or the direction which they take in the tracks N, N, 86o., N', N', 85e., there being nothing of novelty in these general features. M4, iigs. 5 and 6, isthe,l stem of a traveller, in the slot L of the gear K.

M, is the upper partv of the foot of the traveller, so

shaped as to run inthe groove, N', N Sac.

M3 is the lower part of the traveller-foot, and bears on its under side upon the bed-plate P of the machine, and on its upper side againstthe guide-plates,0, 0',

This part M3, being held between the plates, the traveller is kept in an upright position as it moves.

. The guide-plates O, 0"', O7, 85e., are attached'to'the bed-plate P, by bolts passing through each of them, and it, and the bed and guide-plates, are kept the proper distance apart, by collars between the plates..

For 0, the bolts are those marked R E? R3 It4 R5, tig. 2.

The lower end of the standard It also serves the same purpose. v

R5 also passes throughlthe piece marked O8, figs. 1 and 2, which piece may be taken off when the bolt is unscrewed, leaving an opening through' which the travellers may be taken out of or put into the machine. The collars to keep O the proper distance from P are represented at Q Q, fig. 5.

For the plates 0"', 85e., the gear-studs serve as bolts,

- 'f andV the collarsrQ,r&e., torkeep them the proper dis` tance from P.

For O7',v the bolt KT and the collar Q7 are used.

These collars,'between the bed-plate and each of the plates bolted to it, being of the same length, make a space of uniform width all around, for the lower part, M3 of the traveller-feet.

The form of the traveller-foot and stem MSM2 M L is not new, and the guide and bed-plates, while modied in details of construction, are, in general, like such as have been heretofore used. In connection with them, however, there has never yetbeeu a convenient arrangement for driving the travellers around the machine. But the use, in combination with these, of -the slotted gears K', K",.&c., seems to supply what is needed. Slotted gears are at present .in use in other combina-- tions, and the feature 'of novelty which Iiam setting forth, consists in the combination of these gears with travellers in which the stem M4, or its equivalent, against which the gears act, is between the bearing-foot M2 Ms and themain part of the traveller. And this appliesV as well if the bed and guide-plates have curved, instead of plain faces, as shown.

The taking out of the teeth of the gears in making the slots has had a tendency to impair somewhat the smooth running of the wheels. To relieve this difficulty, I make two rows of teeth on each gear, the one above theI other, and with the teeth in' one row opposite the spaces in the other. Gears with a single row of teeth, however, may answer.

An open space is left between the two rows, in order that, with the rough workmanship which is allowable for such machinery, there may be no interference of each row with the working of the other, as they act 4upon the adjoining wheels.

` The modiiied form shown in lig. 7 consists of the gear S (which is of the ordinary style, having teeth all around) and the`driving-plate S', both attached to the same stud, S", turning in the tube S3, this tube also serving as a bolt, to fasten the plates' together, as clearly shown in the drawing.

Thev braided cord passes over the take-up roll T, gs. l, 2, and 4, and is held between it and the binder- 4roll T', this binder-roll being pressed against the other by the thumb-nut T", acting, through the rubber spring T3,.upon the frame T, in which the binder-roll has its bearings.

The roll T6 is part of T', and bears against T2, which is part of T. Therefore, as Tfis turned, T is turned, through the'action, as friction-gear`s, of T2 and To.

It is found that T' will not be turned by T- directly, inasmuch as the cord between them will slip upon one or the other. Between T, and T, however, there is nothing to interfere with the action, as explained.

The frame T4 is supported at two p'oints4 only, viz, T3 and U, and may, therefore, rock about the line connecting these points, so adjusting itself that the pressure of T6 upon T2 shall be proportionate to the pressure of T' upon the cord, and, through it, upon T, whatever the size of the cord may be.

It is now quite customary to have toothed gears between the two rolls, corresponding to the friction-gears The worin-wheel V is part of the same piece with T TZ. It is moved by the Worm V', upon the same shaft with which is the ratchet-wheel V", acted upon by the eccentric-rods W W", which catch upon the ratchet by means of pins inV their ends.

These two rods' being alike, it is suificient to refer to one of them as W'.

At the end of this rod is a hub, in which the pin W slides loosely, being kept against the ratchet-teeth by a spring, W, bearing against its upper end.

Y YNear the hub is a projectionfW, which, being underi e neath the rim V'", keeps the rod from vlifting.

The rod is kept from falling by the ratchet-wheel, upon which it slides.

Outside of theratchetwheelis a stationary rim, X', 'which is shaped to a curve concentric with the wheel.

.In the 'space between this rim and the wheel runs the spur W, projecting from the hub on the rod, thus guiding the end of the rod, and keeping the pin upon the ratchet.

As the rod reciprocates, the wheel will be moved from right to left.

The rod W" has the s ame motion Iwith W', beingl moved by the same eccentric, Y, and, as it acts on the opposite side of the wheel, the one gives motion to the wheel, while the other is sliding` back over the ratchet-teeth, so that, in every stroke, either to the right or left, one or the other rod is acting upon the wheel, and through the worm and worm-wheel, upon the take-up roll. l

The ring Y, acting as an eccentric, is held between 4 thev two plates, Y and Y, on the shaft D.

The plate Y' rests upon a shoulder on the shaft, as

shown, and Y" is pressed upon the upper side' of the' vbe slipped between the plates, to vary the-stroke.

As the eccentric has a greater or less stroke, the ratchet-wheel and take-up roll will be moved a greater or less extent, thus giving a more or less rapid rate of taking up the cord. The take-up is, therefore, adjustable by simply changing the stroke of the eccentric,

as explained.

Of course the takeup will be intermittent in its action, the points of rest being at the dead-points of the crank in the eccentric-motion.

To work with theoretical perfection, a regular move* ment for the take-upv is required, and such has been attempted in the machines heretofore used. It is found, however, that, practically, the variation from a regular movement, in the intermittent action described, is of no account, while there are very obvious advantages connected with the plan, consisting in convenience of construction,'and the ease with which the rate of taking up is varied, because of the greater facility with which, in general, the extent of reciprocating, as compared with the rate of rotating motion, is changed.

Of course there is an 'opportunity to vary considerably the details, and yet have what is, in all essential points, substantially such a mechanism as I have described. For example, the connection between the wheel and rods, instead of being by a ratchet and pins, might be by a friction-clamp; orV the rods might be moved in any other way than by an eccentric or one rod only might he used.

What is of consequence is the connectionpof a reciprocatin g part with the take-up roll, in the general manner indicated.

In some kinds of braiding, it is customary to use a guide for the cord, which shall be set just above the braiding-point. IIhis point varies with the different sizes of cord made, and consequently the guide should be adjustable.

The particular arrangement which I use is shown at Z Z Z.

The part Z has a jaw, the inside of which hears upon the standard R, and the inner end of which has projecting lugs, between which Z its loosely. Z' bears upon the other side of R.

These two pieces are drawn together by the thumbscrew Z, which passes through Z, and is tapped into Z.

As Z and Z are thus brought together, they pinch the standard R between them, and so hold upon it.

In the end of Z' is a hole, Z, through which the cord passes.

The hole in Z for the thumb-screw, being slotted in the direction of the length of the bar, allows Z' to be moved in this direction, the point Z3 being 4thus brought nearer to or carried fuither from R, as may be required.

Ille guide may also be slipped in the direction of the length of the `standard It, or turned about it as an axis. An opportunity is thus given for adjustment in any direction.

The tightening of the thumb-screw fastens the whole as set.

This combination of the two pieces, bearing on opposite sides of the standard, and the thumb-screw, makes a very convenient arrangement..

The travellers M and M are alike, except that they are right and left, the one running-in the one track around the machine, and the other in the other.

Of the travellers not shown, those ,running in the track with M are like it, and those with M', like it.

In explaining the construction of the travellers, it will be sufficient to refer to Ione of them as M'.

The red lines show the thread as wound upon. the spool, andrunning from it through the hole, a., in the upright partpf the traveller; 'from a through the hook b, on the weight (l, sliding upon the rod p from l) through the hole e, in the top of the traveller; and from c to the braiding-point, near Z3.

The weight d corresponds to one used on all braiding-machines to take up the slack of the thread, when the traveller, in following its track, comes nearer the centre of the machine, thus lessening the distance from c to Z3.

The weight of d regulates the tension of the thread.

The spool turns upon the loose spindle g, which passes through the ears fand e, and rests upon the projection h.

The spool`is supported uponf.

The delivery ot' the thread from the spoolis regu@ lated through the notches, n n, on the spool, and the catch m.

This catch slides upon the rod p, and, by its own weight, and the action ot' the spiral. spring q, is kept caught upon n n', preventing the spool from turning.

Vthen, however', in the running of the machine, the supply of thread becomes insufficient, the weightdl will be lifted against the `catch,and raise it from the notches, allowing the spool to turn, and deliver the thread needed.

It may be thought that the weight of m is sncient to keep it caught, so 'that the spring q'will not be needed.

When the thread breaks, the weight d drops upon the ear lr, and, as the traveller passesthe bar H, the weight strikes against this bar, crowding it back, thus stopping the machine, in the manner already explained.

The use of the distinct slide-rod 1) is a feature of considerable importance.

Heretofore it has been customary to have the ten sion-weight slide upon the upright part of the traveller proper, or in a hollow spindle of the spool. Ihe latter form is inconvenient, and, with the other, it has been found necessary to have the upright part upon which the weight slides of considerable size, as it has so the weight has slid upon a rough surface. Besides this, the weight has been clumsy, and of undesirable shape, it having been necessary to adapt it to the slide.

The slide-rod p, separate from the upright part'of the traveller proper, and from the spool-spindle which I use, passes through the ear, s, of the traveller, and is screwed into r, It also passes through u, getting no bearing upon 1t, however. Being supported at both ends, and having nothing to do but to guide the weight and catch, Vit may be quite small, and, if desired, of

wire, as represented, which is smooth and well adapted for a slide. With this arrangement the weight can be made of convenient form.

The style representedconsists of atube, loosely enclosing the wire, with a bulb cast upon its lower end, and a steel-wire hook upon its side, for the thread.

Now, the details of these parts may be considerably varied, but I consider it essential to the best arrange'- ment that there be used a slide-rod for the weight, separate from the upright part ofthe traveller proper, and trom the spool-spindle.

It is believed that the advantages arising from the use of such a rod, from the nature of the case, have been set forth with sulticient clearness. And it is not intended to confine the invention to the use of this distinct slide-rod, in connection with any particular form of traveller, since it has advantages which are independent of exact details.

Itl may be thought in some cases suicient to snp` port the slide-rod at one end, but in general it will be better to hold it at both ends, as described.

It has been explained that the delivery of the thread from the spool is accomplished through the lifting of thev catch m, by the tension-weight d. Considerable diiiiculty, however, has been experienced in this direction, arising from the fact that in the rapid runningi ofthe machine, the weight would, because of theme menturn it had acquired, continue to rise after the thread had ceased to draw, and, striking upon the catch, let ofi thread from the spool when `it was not needed, and could not be taken care of.

Now, to meet this most serious diiculty, I make an arrangement, in which the tension of the thread directly controls the action of the weight upon the match inde-- pendently ofthe momentum of the weight'.`

The particular form which I prefer will be made plain by a reference to iig. 8.

The hook b being on one side of the weight, the latter hangs at an angle, tendingto bear at the upper endvo the tube, on the side adjoining thefhook, and at the lower, on the side opposite the hook. It will be seen that between the end of the ear w, which is fast to the traveller proper, and the rod p, there is a space a little more than the thickness 'of the tube. If, then1 the tube is bearingagainst the rod on the side adjoining the ear, it will pass by the latter, and strike upon the catch, letting off the thread. Now it has just been explained that when the thread draws, it will keep the top of the weight-tube against the rod, on the side adjoining the hook, which is the one `adjoining the ear. It is therefore plain that the weight-tube will, 'when drawn by the thread, pass by keep the tube against thc rod on thc side next the ear,l

so that it shall pass by the latter, and in general it will strike against the ear, instead of passing it, and acting v upon the catch.

In order to prevent the tube from passing the ear by accident, when it is carried. by its momentum, a projection, x, is made upon the traveller, against which one side of the weight will strike with sufficient force to make a very decided movement ot' the-upper end of the tube against the outside oi the rod, and under the ear.

The projection x must be so small that the weight can pass along by the side of it as it slides upon the rod.

Figs. 9, l0, and ll, show modiiied forms of mechanism for controlling the action of the tension-weight upon the spool-catch.

In fig. 9 the thread is shown as passing through the wire hook b. This hook, instead of being fast upon the weight, swings in aucar, d', upon it.

b is the other end of the wire.

The projection el on the weight limits the motion 4of the hook upon the weight in the one direction.

When the thread draws upon b', in lifting the weight, the end b is thrown out, so that it will strike against the projecting part vm' of the spool-catch, and lift the catch, letting off the thread.

vWhen,` however, the thread ceases to draw upon b', the end b will swing against the side of the weight, and 'pass m without touching it.

In iig. l0, the hook b3, through which the thread passes, is fast to the weight.

A Wire, b* b5, swings in the ear cl3 on the weight. One end, b4, of this wire bears against the thread, as shown, and the other end, b5, serves the same purpose as b in fig. 9.

When the thread becomes slack, through the jumping ofthe Weight, b4 being unsupported, falls, swinging b5 clear of the spool-catch.

In iig. ll, the piece 1r"- b swings upon a pin, bs, on the traveller.

l bearsagainst the thread, as shown. o

vbU serves as a weight to keep b7 against the thread.

`It the thread become slack, b7 swings, so as to catch upon m, and thus prevent the catch from lifting, even though the weight jump against it.

Another form would, be to have the spool-catch guided laterally by the thread, so to be carried in or out of line with the tension-weight, or under a shoulder, which would keep it from lifting.

'lhese difierent forms of the arrangement for controlling the action of the tension-weight and spoolcatch are only specimens of the great variety oi shapes which the invention may take. They are, perhaps, sufiicient to call attention to the compi-eherisiveness ofthe inventiom'which includes regulating the horizontal movement of either the tension-weight or the spool-catch, or a latch or spur, act-ing upon either, by the tension of the thread, to prevent the moving of the catch by the weight, when the thread has ceased to draw, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

It is evident that this part of' the invention may be applied to travellers of the general form heretofore used.

The improvements included in this invention are equally applicable to the diercnt styles of braidingmachines used, including those for making at braid.

The modifications required will be plain to any one amiliar with such machines.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the slotted gears with travellers, constructed substantially as described.-

2. The slotted gears, provided with a double row of teeth, substantially described.

3. The lcombination of the traveller with mechanism, substantially such as described, or its equivalent, for preventing the movement of the bobbin-detaiuing catch by the irregular or. unseasonable action of the weight, as set forth.

4. The combination and arrangement of the takeup, and friction-roll T T2, the binder and friction-roll T '11 and the rocking-frame T4, constructed and operating substantially as described.

. The compound adj ustablebarZZ' Z, constructed y, as and for the purposes described.

6. The sliding starting-handle G, in combination with the drivin g-coupling and the tipping-bar, with its holding spring, constructed and operating substantially as described.

JAMES D. BUTLER.

Witnesses A. H. OARYL,

HENRY F. FRENCH. 

